Pontiac I-55 Stretch Could Be Named For Slain Trooper

Thu, 23 Jan 2014 08:24:55 CSTBy: AP

Illinois lawmakers will consider renaming a stretch of Interstate 55 after a Pontiac police officer who was killed during a crash. A measure in the Illinois Senate would dedicate a stretch of highway to Casey Kohlmeier. The 29-year-old and his K-9 partner were killed in October when a drunken driver struck their SUV that was parked in a median just north of Pontiac. A South Carolina man is charged in the crash and has pleaded not guilty. The measure is sponsored by Sen. Jason Barickman, a Bloomington Republican. He says he wanted to make sure Kohlmeier was recognized by state government. If it's approved, the stretch of I-55 from Exit 197 to 202 would be dedicated to Kohlmeier.